WHAT IS CIGRE ?

CIGRE, an international non-profit Association

CIGRE (International Council on Large Electric Systems) is a permanent non-governmental and non-profit-making international association based in France.

It was founded in 1921 and aims to :

Facilitate and develop the exchange of engineering knowledge and information, between engineering personnel and technical specialists in all countries as regards generation and high voltage transmission of electricity ;

Make managers, decision-makers and regulators aware of the synthesis of CIGRE’s work, in the area of electric power. Issues related to planning and operation of power systems, design, construction, maintenance and disposal of HV equipment and plants, protection of electrical systems, telecontrol and telecommunication equipment, data management are at the core of CIGRE’s mission.

Electricity markets, regulation and environment are also within the field of concern of CIGRE.

National committees

CIGRE Central Office which is based in Paris France, counts 58 National Committees to enhance its relationship and get closer to its Members. CIGRE National Committees offer to its Members direct access to services and supports. CIGRE counts more than 14 000 equivalent Members composed of researchers, academics, engineers, technicians, suppliers, and other decision makers, in over 80 countries.

Study Committees

More than3 500 experts from across the globe actively collaborate in structured work programmes with CIGRE. There efforts are coordinated by 16 Study Committees which are overseen by a Technical Committee. Research efforts are anchored to four interlinked objectives: designing and deploying the power system of the future, optimizing existing equipment and power systems, respecting the environment, and offering access to information to international key players in the electrical power systems’ industry.

New President elected
CIGRE has a new President. Dr Robert STEPHEN, Chairman of the National Committee of South Africa, has been elected President of CIGRE by the Administrative Council during the Session in Paris on 23rd August. Robert STEPHEN has a long CIGRE record as convener of Working Groups, Special Reporter and Chairman of Study Committee B2 (Overhead lines). He is CIGRE’ s first President from Africa.

A unique opportunity to learn, exchange, network

16 posters
The organizing committee has arranged poster sessions in which papers from the 16 technical councils are presented, giving delegates an opportunity to engage in one-on-one discussions with the authors of the CIGRE papers

a social programme
with a welcome drink and coffee breaks to engage further discussions in a relaxed atmosphere.

a technical exhibition on 3 levels
Products and advanced technologies from around the globe. It includes displays and demonstrations by many of the world’s leading manufacturers that supply power generation and transmission utilities with the latest technologies installed in transmission systems.

Cigre Session, the only T&D event

with a REAL international audience

93 countries represented

3 % Africa

4 % Middle East

4 % North America

5 % South America

10 % France

15 % Europe outside EU

21 % Asia Pacific

38 % EU

(2016 statistics)

Main themes :

Eco design of equipment

Maintenance, refurbishment and life time of equipment

Real time monitoring of equipment and systems

Development of DC solutions

Coordination between TSOs

Public acceptance of equipment

Integration of renewable

Active distribution systems

Information systems

Feedback

97 %of attendees are very satisfied or satisfied with the 2016 Cigre Session

98 % say that the main benefit is to network and the possibility to choose from more
than 550 advanced technical presentations, panel discussions and 16 poster Sessions.